Hardik Pandya Takes Over as Mumbai Indians Captain, Ending Rohit Sharma’s 10-Year Tenure
In a significant transition, Hardik Pandya has been named the captain of Mumbai Indians for the upcoming IPL 2024 season, succeeding Rohit Sharma. Sharma, who led the franchise for an illustrious ten years, guided Mumbai Indians to five IPL trophies during his captaincy tenure.
Legacy Building and Future-Ready Approach
Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance, Mumbai Indians, emphasized that the decision to appoint Pandya is part of legacy building and the team’s commitment to being future-ready. This move aligns with Mumbai Indians’ philosophy of not only focusing on immediate success but also strengthening the team for the long term.
Expressing gratitude to Rohit Sharma, Jayawardene lauded his extraordinary leadership since 2013, highlighting his pivotal role in making Mumbai Indians one of the most successful and beloved teams in IPL history. Sharma’s guidance and experience are expected to continue contributing to the team’s success both on and off the field.
Mumbai Indians officially welcomed Hardik Pandya as the new captain and extended their best wishes for his leadership journey. Pandya, who rejoined Mumbai Indians through a sensational trade from Gujarat Titans, had previously led GT to victory in the 2022 season.
Pandya’s Track Record
In the 31 matches played for Gujarat Titans from 2022-23, Pandya showcased his all-round prowess, scoring 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and a remarkable strike rate of over 133. His performance included six half-centuries, with a top score of 87*, and he also contributed with 11 wickets.
Having played 92 matches for Mumbai Indians from 2015-2021, Pandya accumulated 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 and an impressive strike rate exceeding 153. Additionally, he claimed 42 wickets for the team. Pandya is a seasoned IPL campaigner, having secured five IPL trophies, four with Mumbai Indians (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and one with Gujarat Titans (2022).
